Description

**Update for Summer 2021**

BUHABS are thrilled to announce we will be flying again from May 2021! Our committee have been hard at work to ensure our operations can resume safely. We constantly review our activites and ensure they comply with the most recent government and university guidelines.

 

If you are interested in hot air ballooning and looking for an engaging society offering in-person events throughout the summer, do consider joining us at BUHABS. Membership is valid for the whole flying season until the end of September 2021.

**********************

Quick start guide to getting involved in the society:

1. Please buy membership from this page*

2. You'll now be on our members list, we will email information out regularly including when flights are announced and how to sign up!

* Different membership options, if you...

... are new to the society, or were a member before 2019/20, you need full membership (£25)

... had non-flying membership earlier this year, you need to upgrade (£19)

... were a paid member in 2019/20, your rolled over membership is still valid (£0). Please find our latest communication in your inbox!

Seize the opportunity to experience something completely unique by joining Bristol University Hot Air Ballooning Society. Make new friends, learn new skills, and have a chance to fly in our iconic red and white balloon at an affordable price!

 

 

 Who are we?

We are BUHABS, one of only two student-run hot air ballooning societies in the UK. We fly as often as we can, mostly on Wednesday afternoons and weekends from various launch sites in Bristol and the surrounding area. We often travel to other balloon meets across the country and we also have opportunities for members to train as a pilot.

 

   

Do I need to know anything about hot air balloons?

Absolutely not, you do not need to have had any experience, everyone is welcome to join and we would love to meet you. We fly with a qualified pilot who will tell you how to help set the hot air balloon up and ensure that you have a safe and exciting time in the air.

How do you arrange flights?

Our pilot checks the weather forecast and if the conditions look suitable, they will send out an invitation via email to paid members. Places are first-come, first served. The day before, detailed weather forecasts are checked and details on the pickup location and times are confirmed. The decision to fly lies with the pilot and flights can be cancelled at any time including on the launch field. Passenger safety is our number one priority.

Who can join BUHABS?

We have traditionally had a great mixture of undergraduate, postgraduate and staff members join the society. We also have alumni of the University and friends of BUHABS involved, who can purchase associate membership of Bristol SU and then become full BUHABS members via this page.

How much is membership?

Membership costs £25. Your membership will allow you to:

• Receive invitations via email to sign up to our flights to get a chance to fly in the basket.
• Help to inflate, crew and retreive the University of Bristol hot air balloon.
• Sign up for ballooning meets including Midlands Air Festival, Longleat Air Safari and of course, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Once you have signed up to fly in our balloon, the cost of a flight is £40. It’s the cheapest way you will ever get to fly in a hot air balloon.

Note: Buying membership does not guarantee a flight, as we cannot guarantee flight regularity. Ballooning is weather dependent, and flights can be cancelled at last minute. We will make every effort to fly as often as possible.

We are committed to introducing as many people as possible into the wonderful world of hot air ballooning and we aim to be as affordable and inclusive as possible. Students can apply for up to £100 per academic year through the Activity Hardship fund.

   

 

How do I keep in touch with what is happening in BUHABS?

Check us out on our social media, including our Instagram and Facebook pages, where we post about ballooning news and posts pictures of our recent trips. We also run a private Facebook group for members to ensure our members are kept up to date.

If you have any further questions, check out our FAQ article or feel free to message us on our social media or email us at mail.buhabs@gmail.com.